License Debate

Nov 13, 2013 (LBO) – A debate over the legality of casinos in Sri Lanka is heating up with ministers of the administration and opposition legislators trading charges and counter chargers. At least four casinos are now operating under a de facto arrangement where an annual levy had been paid to the state revenue office under a separate law, the Betting and Gaming Levy Act.

Minister Abeywardene said “parties who had conformed to the Betting and Gaming Levy Act” would be brought into the Casino Business (Regulation) Act after regulations are gazetted.

The government has so far not published any regulations.

De Silva said for Packer to run a casino a license have to be issued to him or his business partner by the administration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa which should “contain the terms and conditions of operating a casino in Sri Lanka including but not limited to fit and proper conditions, licensing fees, duration of the license, number of tables and machines, license renewal procedures and dispute resolution mechanisms.”

“The Act also states that adequate notice must be given to the public by publishing in daily newspapers in Sinhala, Tamil and English the requ

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